'We need to wake up to this before it's too late.'

Viewers of the BBC’s Blue Planet II have vowed “never” to use plastic again after a pilot whale was filmed carrying her deceased calf, who is believed to have died as a result of plastic contamination.

The powerful scene in the hit BBC nature documentary, which aired on Sunday evening, led many to question the impact human waste is having on the environment - and the animals who live in some of the most remote places on earth.

The calf is suspected to have died after being poisoned by his mother’s contaminated milk.

BBC
A pilot whale was filmed carrying round her dead calf.

David Attenborough, who is narrating Blue Planet II, told the BBC audience: “In top predators like these, industrial chemicals can build up to lethal levels.

“And plastic could be part of the problem. As plastic breaks down, it combines with these other pollutants that are consumed by vast numbers of these marine creatures.

“It’s possible that her calf may have been poisoned by her own contaminated milk.

“Pilot whales have big brains. They can certainly experience emotions. Judging from the behaviour of the adults, the loss of the infant has affected the entire family.

“Unless the flow of plastics and industrial pollution into the world’s oceans is reduced, marine life will be poisoned by them for many centuries to come.”

The footage led many to question their own use of plastic.

So so sad to see this mother and her dead baby. We need to stop using plastic and save our oceans. We need to wake up to this before it’s too late. https://t.co/nQv0KcyCYk